BORROWS Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

borrows

verb

present tense third-person singular of borrow

as in adopts

to take for one's own use (something originated by another) borrowed the basic plot from a book of tales, but put her personal stamp on the story

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of borrows The aesthetic borrows from grunge and indie sleaze, blending undone eyeliner with pale, textured skin. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 When the value of a property rises, Kiyosaki borrows more money against that equity, then treats that loan like tax-free income. — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026 Washington no longer borrows only during wars, recessions or national emergencies. — Carolyn Bourdeaux, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 The era of relaxed yet polished looks is inspiring our outfits for next season, and Courteney Cox provided an easy blueprint that borrows from the decade’s styles without looking dated. — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026 But Erling Haaland has a claim to football’s perfect run that borrows from all three. — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 But they should not be guided into a shadow system that borrows the authority of medicine while avoiding its responsibilities. — Arya Rao, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026 His account reveals a sacred landscape that borrows descriptions from and echoes the ethos of sacred Sanskrit texts. — Aishwarya Lakshmi, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026 Although about 70 percent of rural credit came from institutional sources by the early 2020s, a sizable chunk of the rural population borrows from informal sources. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for borrows

Verb

Danny Boyle adopts a similar strategy with this snazzy screen adaptation, shot through with kinetic energy, convulsive editing and a liberal sprinkling of post-punk, electro-pop and indie rock that thumbs its nose at period accuracy.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Georgia adopts federal fuel waiver in hopes of easing cost pressure.

— Adam Beam, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of adopts

Verb

In one, Gere embraces Alejandra as their son runs into the shot; another shows the three embracing in a group hug.

— Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Many tourists are drawn to the city because they're hooked on the lifestyle Sheridan embraces in his storytelling.

— Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of embraces

Browse Nearby Words

borrowing

borrows

boscage

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“Borrows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/borrows. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of borrows

verb

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